3G native video calling means selecting a contact - as you do in a regular voice call - and choosing whether to make a voice call, clicking the appropriate icon, os a video call, which automatically opens your front camera window (a small window on the bottom left corner, so you know what you are showing the other party).
On the main window, you'll see the person you are talking to.
No need for WiFi or data connections, just clicking as any other "normal" voice call.

No need for any specific programme, no need to install anything on the phone, no need for any WiFi connection or extra data-plan payment.

It's included in the 15€ you pay monthly and, as far as you call people on the same price plan, you'll be keeping those 15€.
You end up spending that "plafond" (15€) calling other operators' contacts/numbers via voice or video call, OR - if you save enough for it - paying for an extra data plan with very limited traffic limits (as I've mentioned above) which will allow you to view emails, update weather and other applications, etc, as the limits are too short to allow video calling, or any serious Internet browsing (100MB =5,56€ per month).

So, that's the whole point of having 3G video calls. I know the definition is not accurate, as data calls are made possible via 3G, but that's the way we call it here, as video calls only became available and popular after the implementation of 3G networks.

Currently, I am the one in the family with the newest phone (since Christmas) and I am the one who can't make video calls with my new phone, which that's pretty stupid, as it would be simple to allow it, if Google didn't want to end up with this type of video calls which are only profitable for operators such as Telefonica, Orange and Vodafone, but NOT profitable to Google...

That means that I have been forced to take my old sony phone along to make video calls, which is something we do quite regularly amongst friends and family, or whenever we travel or go on trips to somewhere new.

That is why we'll keep on demanding, asking for, "moaning about", if you wish, having 3G video calls... something practical, useful, unexpensive, widely available and that doesn't stop other users from making their video calls via WiFi or data plans, if they wish or prefer to do so.

Granting 3G native video calls to Xperia phones wouldn't hurt anyone and would definitely enlarge the marketing and sales potential of the series (compared to samsungs, for example).
More features=More sales/More buyers=MORE PROFITS.

aifa, 27 Apr 2012When the ics update? They say late april/ early may.. Anyone know the exact date?Will be late may early june for ics! Plays getting updated in second batch along with live, xperia mini, arc, neo, pro, xperia mini pro and active! Not long to wait guys!

Can anyone please explain to me what the problem is with people using for example, Skype on their phone to do video calls. Rather than moan about this "native" 3g calls, whats the difference ? Either way its going to charge you or use your data plan. As there is no such thing as "voice mintues" or stuff like that included on contracts now. (In the UK anyway)

androidust, 27 Apr 2012This is for all the Xperia Play lovers and I am sure they will feel that this is good news. Xp... moreThis has to be the best news since they said we're getting official ICS. Hope the rooting trick still works on the final ICS...

Lenny, 27 Apr 2012I agree with that.
3G native video calls are something that have helped samsung's and htc's s... moreWell, there's a simple way to find out. Sony has released the ICS update for the Xperia ARC S, NEO V and Ray. Check if the update gave them video calling. Coz if they don't have it, then obviously the Play won't get it either.

jan, 27 Apr 2012I don't know about U.S.A., but in Europe we can have videocalls through the 3G network.
I'... moreI agree with that.
3G native video calls are something that have helped samsung's and htc's sales in the highly competitive android market.
In Europe (and India, apparently) people are used to placing video calls at no extra cost and not needing any extra software or connection, and that is both positive and useful.

Google has tried to sell Android phones without native video calling, but older users who were used to it and all those whose price plans include video calls won't accep it.

I will also be very sorry if sony doesn't include native video calling on their ICS update and I am sure that will mean one thing:
My next phone WON'T be another sony.

Bear in mind, it's quite common for whole families having the same brand/type of phone and enjoying native video calls, just as they do with "regular" voice calls.
That means that if I change from sony to another brand, it will be more than a single phone sony will stop selling, because no one in my family will do the same mistake I did.

I believed having a gamepad would be great, and no doubt about it, IT IS!
But, at the end of the day, you'll be wanting and needing a... PHONE!
And getting myself an android phone with video calling capability will NOT stop me from playing my games!
Just think about it.

jan, 27 Apr 2012I don't know about U.S.A., but in Europe we can have videocalls through the 3G network.
I'... moreIt is very BAD thing that Sony does not have any developer who can write code for Native 3G video call. Is this same Sony who had many phones with Native 3G video call???

MicroMax (mobile manufacture in India) android super phones also has Native 3G video calls inbuild with dual sim. They also using similar hardware and operating system. Micromax mobiles are much cheaper. If they can WHY NOT SONY???

I just updated my Neo V with ICS. I thought Native 3G video call enabled in this update. My mistake, I am expecting A SMALL THING from BIG BRAND. It is just waste of money of buying SONY andorid mobiles. It is GOOD for Nothing. I am very disapointed.

Native 3G video call is much cheaper in India compared to Video Chat. India's Govt mobile service provider charge 1 paise per second for Native 3G video call without any DATA charges.

MicroMax knows the need of Indian people so they are growing. Samsung does the same thing. Where is SONY??

I like Sony mobiles as they built good quality phones with good look. But I need to basic feature as well. If that is not there, then it's of no use.

I don't know about U.S.A., but in Europe we can have videocalls through the 3G network.

I'm not talking about VoIP videocalls etc. I'm talking about "native" 3G videocalls. I'm not saying I always use videocalls, but sometimes I do use them.
Every 3G-phone I've ever had was videocall-capable. Every Windows Mobile Symbian-phone, every 3G-phone (such as SONY's) with a proprietary OS was videocall-capable.
From what I've seen, the only
ones currently lacking this feature are iPhone and Android based smartphones from "lazy" brands such as Sony...
HTC, LG and Samsung do offer 3G video native call starting from their mid-range phones.
It even seems like the next gen iPhone could be videocall-capable, although that may be an advertiding stunt from Apple's clever marketing dept...

I don't know about U.S.A., but in Europe we can have videocalls through the 3G
network. I'm not talking about VoIP videocalls etc. I'm talking about "native" 3G
videocalls. I'm not saying I always use videocalls, but sometimes I do use them.
Every 3G-phone I've ever had was videocall-capable. Every Symbian-phone, every
3G-phone with a proprietary OS was videocall-capable. From what I've seen, the only ones lacking this feature are iPhone and some Android based smartphones from "lazy" companies such as Sony.
HTC, LG and Samsung Android phones do have native video calling.
It even seems like the next gen iPhone could be videocall-capable.

Video call should be a vital part of ICS.If there exists already a native stack solution then it it could be ported along with modifications in framework and modifications in the phone applications.